Xuan Vu Audio from Vietnam has uploaded a video comparing the WH-1000XM4 to the WH-1000XM3. The video is not in English but if anyone wishes to post a comment with any interesting information from the video, please post below. Thanks to Ross for sending this in.
I am embedding the video below, it might go down, but I have a copy saved. Check it out below.
Edit, video is not down, posting another one. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Edit 2, video is down, anyone have any links to a rehosted video?
The video at 3:04 shows the infrared sensor that is in left ear cusp. This sensor will pause/play the music automatically when the headphones are taken on/off. Screenshot from video below.
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Another XM4 hands on video
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/wyOg7-6nuVc
Recently, two days after international release, I purchased the highly touted ‘bells and whistles’ top of the line Sony wireless headphone model WH-1000XM4 from the Sony shop in Bangkok. The headphone has an advertised 1-year warranty.
DeleteThe headphone does not work with my Samsung 8K 82-inch TV. The sound breaks up and is badly distorted. After 4 resets of both the headphone and TV the sound corrects itself and is warm and generous but gradually drops out of lip synch with the movie.
Sony support (you must ring the UK for support in Thailand) suggested an upgrade to the software and hung up. Problem was that the headphones were already upgraded. I email support requesting a replacement headphone. Sony response is to ‘check the latest software update of the TV’. I respond that my Bose headphones work perfectly with the TV and internet blogs have identified the glitch with the headphone. I request either a replacement headphone or full refund. I request Sony provide a copy of their Thai warranty as none came in the box.
They respond by emailing the terms of conditions of using their website! Nothing about their warranty. Googling, I find the Thai warranty.
Section 2 (r) states the warranty excludes and does not cover any damage, loss, malfunction, defect or other issue arising from or related to: (r) use of the product with another product, accessory or software…’
To my knowledge, headphones must be connected to another product to produce sound. The Sony ‘warranty’ expressly disclaims all responsibility when the headphones are connected to another product, which includes working with other Sony products, and after one year there is no warranty under which to claim.
Meanwhile Sony refuses to either replace my headphones or provide a refund saying ‘it's a compatibility issue and unfortunately Sony warranty does not cover compatibility issues with non-Sony Products’. Not quite true. The Thai warranty doesn’t extend to compatibility issues with other Sony products.
However, in their final email, they say: ‘I will be escalating this issue to a higher department to consider this issue in the new software edition.’
So, Sony agree they have a software issue but still refuse to replace the headphones or refund the purchase price.
Beware the meaningless, false and misleading international warranty.
The headphones have turned up again, in another video. https://youtu.be/wyOg7-6nuVc
ReplyDeleteIt's private
DeleteInteresting enough, there were no multipoint settings in the app.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a new QN2 chip?
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed with those headphones so far. :(
There's nothing wrong with re-using the QN1 chip, the chip isn't everything. The XM3's ANC aren't much better than the XM2's despite having a different chip, why? Because the XM2 has better passive noise isolation. The main difference is that the XM3s didn't have white noise while the XM2s did, but noise cancelling wise the gap really isn't that huge. Anyway, passive noise isolation and better (and more) mics are also very important for good ANC, and it looks like the XM4 will have improvements there, which should lead to a significant boost in ANC.
DeleteI was already disappointed when it was shown that the XM4 will look pretty similar to the XM3s. I knew that Sony wouldn't change much on the XM4s and will be recycling most of the XM3s parts into the XM4s. I only expect Sony to improve the Bluetooth from 4.2 to 5.0 and add 2 mics for a little better call quality(which is the only reason why I'll buy the XM4), but i have the feeling that even the call quality won't be that great(compare to the Bose NC 700) because the XM3 has 3 mics, XM4 will have 5 while Bose NC 700 has 8 mics. Multiple pairing would be great but after I heard of the extremely limited number of pairing devices, I knew that Sony actually didn't invest on it and I'm sure that it won't work well. Sony's greatest improvements won't be on the XM4s (I bet on that).
ReplyDeleteI made a comparison between the 2 models, sure they are similar but there are a lot more changes in design when comparing the MDR-1000X and WH-1000XM2 for example.
Deletehttps://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/sony-wh-1000xm4-leaked-by-best-buy.html
Pretty sure most of the parts are not recycled, maybe the screws and some parts of the ear cusps, but the rest seems all new and would have to be designed from the start.
There are 5 mics in total now, I'd wait until reviews are out before saying the bose 700 will be better than the new model.
What do you mean limited number of pairing devices? How many devices do you wish to pair at once?
You can always wait for apple's new headphones.
Thanks for sharing the link. I prefer buying some crappy headphones than any apple's device and when I'm set to buy something, I won't change even if I have proof that I won't like it once I get it. Anyway, I'm not expecting something great on the XM4, but if it turns out to be great, then that's good. I remember spending around 600 Euro on Detox Limited Edition that I only used a couple of time in 10 years because it's too heavy and makes my head hurt after few of minutes on my head.
DeleteThe worse procersor manufacturer by Mediatek, no aptx, only bluetooth 5.0, when exists version 5.1, no QN2 chip, identical design. Sony pissed me off. :/
ReplyDeleteNot identical design. MDR-1000X and WH-1000XM2 are more identical to each other than WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4. Yes there are similiarties, but it appears a lot of the parts are new.
Deletehttps://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/sony-wh-1000xm4-leaked-by-best-buy.html
Nothing wrong with Mediatek. If the chip provides great functionality with ultra low power consumption then that is perfect. The lack of aptx (which is proprietary) does not make it a poor bluetooth chip, none of apple's products support aptX. Qualcomm couldn't provide Sony with proper TWS BT chip that would work with all other devices (apple, walkman, pc, etc), their setup required a highend snapdragon chip in the connecting device to offer truly wireless connectivity. Mediatek/Airoha's chip is able to provide just TWS connectivity, working with all devices regardless of the SoC chip in the media device.
The Mediatek MT2811 found in the new WH-1000XM4 is already certified for BT 5.1, perhaps Sony didn't feel the need to have 5.1 on a headset.
As for a new QN chip, nothing wrong with the current QN1, Sony used their older S-Master HX in the MDR-1000X and WH-1000XM2 and no one compained it was re-used. Sony still uses it in their Walkman lineup.
If people want other options, Microsoft has their surface headphones 2 with BT 5.0 and aptX. Apple will soon have their new headset, don't expect aptX there, or perhaps buy from Bose.
There's nothing wrong with re-using the QN1 chip, the chip isn't everything. The XM3's ANC aren't much better than the XM2's despite having a different chip, why? Because the XM2 has better passive noise isolation. The main difference is that the XM3s didn't have white noise while the XM2s did, but noise cancelling wise the gap really isn't that huge. Anyway, passive noise isolation and better (and more) mics are also very important for good ANC, and it looks like the XM4 will have improvements there, which should lead to a significant boost in ANC.
DeleteAlso, like ASCARISS said the lack of aptX literally isn't a big deal unless you plan on using the headphones a lot with Windows 10 devices. Android devices support the superior LDAC anyway and Apple devices don't even support aptX or LDAC, but have a very well optimised AAC codec which performs similarly to aptX HD. The Mediatek chip will do better with power consumptions, overall speed and efficiency so it's barely even a downgrade. The design is also not identical as was mentioned above.
I'm curious about the reviews.
DeleteSo far, it's a poorness.
Why 250 dollars headphones Surface 2 have aptx but 350 dollars headphoned Sony xm4 haven't this feature.
DeleteIt´s so sad to see identical headphones after 2 years, with the same chip, no aptx and mediatek processor. :/
ReplyDeletethen don't buy it bro
DeleteI've been waiting for them for over a year.
DeleteI expected bigger changes after all.
When it's gonna be introduced? 6/23 is right around the corner
ReplyDeleteI wanna to use them on movies played on TV and PC with windows 10 or gaming on pc and phone.
ReplyDeleteWill the problem be missing aptx?
That's right question. Same think.
DeleteDo check this article about ldac vs aptx for latency.
Deletehttps://nasilemaktech.com/audio-latency-test-sony-ldac-vs-qualcomm-aptx/
The WH-1000XM3 only supported aptx and aptx HD, but never aptx low latency.
As for connecting to a tv, not sure what codec it connects with, same for pc, but I would imagine either sbc or aac?
Aptx Low latency is a very important feature of new premium headphones like Sony wh xm4.
ReplyDeleteTrue, except the WH-1000XM3 never supported aptX LL. regardless aptxLL is no more, aptx adaptive is the new codec featuring low latency.
DeleteDo you guys know what's going on with the XM3s prices going back from $278 to $349 @ Walmart, Best Buy and all the other websites that had price reduction? I feel like the XM4 release is being pushed back because there is no way the XM4 will come out and have the same $349 price as the XM3. Now, I'm wondering is Sony trying to push back the release of the XM4? Was it a marketing move to make customers buy the rest of the XM3s? Or did they notice that people were buying the XM3s to counterfeit them into XM4s?
ReplyDeleteI suspect Sony is waiting for Apple and their event when they will unveil their new apple headphones.
DeleteThat sounds very possible but why did all of the stores increased the prices of the XM3s back to $349? Do you think they will keep the XM3s prices that high until the release of the XM4s? I'm watching the WWDC right now and I don't see any clue about apple airpods studio yet. I don't care about how good the airpods studio will be. I just hope that the XM4s get release sooner.
DeleteNo idea why the price went back up, maybe they WH-1000XM4 were supposed to come out this week, but Sony pulled the launch. Very puzzling why there has been no launch, could also be Sony has had problems building up stock/supplies since the factory where they were built was closed for a period of time and perhaps parts are in short supply and not enough have been produced. Who knows.
DeleteNo Airpods Studio on June 22nd, WH1000XM3s price went back up to $349. So I'm assuming there won't be any WH1000XM4 release tomorrow June 23rd. I was expecting to buy the XM4 and travel down to South Miami for a week...Well, I guess the XM4s will be announced during the IFA event between Sept 4th-9th 2020 like how the XM3s were shown during the IFA 2018 as follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJATxWJEoC8
ReplyDeleteIf the headphones don't come out until September, it will be very strange when they are already in the videos. It will be all the more disappointing that they will not bring about as many big changes as the new QN2 chip and there will be such an essential thing as the Aptx adaptive. :/
ReplyDeleteThe videos out there that you're talking about were not made by Sony and they were just pieces and clues gathered to make some assumptions. They don't have any relation with Sony's decision on how the xm4s are built and when they will be released. The lack of the latest bluetooth 5.1, a new QN2 chip and Aptx adaptive are things that I won't say it's true for sure until Sony release the xm4. I understand that Sony took 2 years to make little change from the xm3s to the xm4s but they know that the xm3s are the best out there and if they push the technology too far, they will have to wait for 2 more years to make new changes on the xm5s and those changes will be harder and costly.
Deletei like what you said there you clarified it was all assumptions and you pointed out their strategy of holding back on the tech they’d just developed so they can further test it and include it in the new pair of XM5 or whatever the name would be
DeleteBut Sony wh 1000 XM5 will be released in at least 2 years.
ReplyDelete"But Sony wh 1000 XM5 will be released in at least 2 years."
DeleteThat's not exactly true. Sony hw1000xm3 were released 1 year after the wh1000xm2. Sony took 2 years for to release the wh1000xm4 because the wh1000xm3s are so good or their competitors are not many. If people don't buy the wh1000xm4 while better headphones come out and rock better than the wh1000xms, then Sony will not wait 2 years to bring the wh1000xm5s. When something is good and the best out there like the wh1000xm3s, you don't change it until you got better to show, or there are better competitors out there.
But it was possible for the crackling headbridge.
DeleteI'm waiting for the WH1000XM4 like I was waiting for Liverpool's PL title in 30 years!
ReplyDeleteProbably going to see the UEFA CL winner of 2020 even before the release of the WH1000XM4!!
You probably has more chances to catch the coronavirus before Sony releases the wh1000xm4. At least you'll still have few more hundred box in your bank account.
DeleteCan't anyone able to do petition for a change of processor and the addition of aptx adaptive support for the Sony WH 1000 xm4?
ReplyDeleteYes, premium headphones must support aptx adaptive!
Deleteso if Apple's new headphones lack aptx adaptive, they will not be premium? Doubt the reviewers will see it that way.
DeleteDon’t think there is an ‘if’ in there. Apple will never support apt-x of any kind.
Delete"Can't anyone able to do petition for a change of processor and the addition of aptx adaptive support for the Sony WH 1000 xm4?"
DeleteI don't think that's possible, but I think what would've been nice is if Sony could let customers customize their headphones while ordering them like many laptops/cars/Watches companies do. Some people(including me) are willing to pay more money to get some of the best features that the non-customizable ones can't offer.
Premium headphones must support all codecs! Aptx adaptive is very important.
Delete$349 headphones aren't "Premium" compared to their competitors prices and features. I can't complain when I know that each codec is a company owned property(codecs aren't like HDD or SSD hardware which multiple companies can manufacture at will); when I also know that some headphones are more expensive but they still can't deliver all codecs. I think that each device should deserve its price. I'm not cheap nor greedy and I can also tell that Sony is neither cheap nor greedy. If the wh1000x series cost more than $600+ without all codecs and shitty mics, then I would complain. I just wished they would give the option to spend more money and buy a real premium headphone for those who want to spend the money for it.
DeleteThe quality of the leather and its processing don' t look very good.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, maybe there's a pre-production sample in the video.
DeleteI don't like the thick padding on the headphones.
ReplyDeleteAny new release date information or technical specifications like aptx adaptive?
ReplyDeleteThere will be no aptx support in this model.
DeleteSpecs can be found here
https://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/sony-wh-1000xm4-shows-up-on-walmart.html
and here
https://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/sony-wh-1000xm4-shows-up-on-dell-canada.html
photos and other information here
https://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/sony-wh-1000xm4-leaked-by-best-buy.html
As for release date, so far unknown, it seems to have been pushed back for some reason.
Is there any solution to solve audio delay without aptx adaptive?
ReplyDeleteI want to use the headphones both for playing on a computer, watching netflix, the same on a mobile phone.
I was also interested in this.
DeleteHow will they solve this?
nice
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have clue about the release date? I'd only upgrate from X3 to X4 for the possibility to connect 2 devices. It's so annoying with laptop+smartphone+headset today...
ReplyDeleteWell I will say this, The WH-1000XM4 has not appeared on Sony's parts store, Encompass. For comparison, the WF-SP800N appeared on Encompass about 1-2 months before its release.
DeleteThat's not a good news. Does that mean that we still have at least 1 month to go before Sony release the wh1000xm4?
DeleteHahaha 23-24 July also nothing happened.
ReplyDelete